Comments on: Would you trade part of your life expectancy to be rid of strabismus? http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/ ...also known as crossed eyes, lazy eye, wall eyes, squint, tropia, double vision, turned, floating, wandering, wayward, or drifting eyes. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:59:26 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Lois (admin) http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-44149 Lois (admin) Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:45:01 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-44149 Some may not have seen the update that I posted recently to my original post at the top of this thread, so I share it here: [Update 7/9/2010: When I published this, I never expected people to actually answer the question posed in the title. During the time I was away with illness, I continued to approve comments to the blog. I am surprised and saddened that so many responded, "Yes," to that question. This answer pierces my heart with the struggle that many with turned eyes face every day. My personal answer to that question is, "No." Of course, I'm 63, so I don't have a huge amount of life left to trade at this point. But, beyond that, I have always been challenged by struggle, and the older I get the more exciting life is in spite of my vision and other health problems. I love to find "work-arounds." If one door closes, I keep opening others until I find one with good things behind it. Keeps me busy, keeps my mind off of my difficulties, and the pay-off is great. Give it a try!] Some may not have seen the update that I posted recently to my original post at the top of this thread, so I share it here:
[Update 7/9/2010: When I published this, I never expected people to actually answer the question posed in the title. During the time I was away with illness, I continued to approve comments to the blog. I am surprised and saddened that so many responded, "Yes," to that question. This answer pierces my heart with the struggle that many with turned eyes face every day.

My personal answer to that question is, "No." Of course, I'm 63, so I don't have a huge amount of life left to trade at this point. But, beyond that, I have always been challenged by struggle, and the older I get the more exciting life is in spite of my vision and other health problems. I love to find "work-arounds." If one door closes, I keep opening others until I find one with good things behind it. Keeps me busy, keeps my mind off of my difficulties, and the pay-off is great. Give it a try!]

]]> By: rochelle http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-44134 rochelle Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:19:13 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-44134 I would trade decades to have straight eyes. Most days Id rather not be alive due to it anyway. Everytime I look at someone I can only think about my eyes. I fear looking at people from certain angles that I know my strabimus is worse at. I hate not looking normal in pictures and being able to capture all my memories without worry. This problem has got me severely depressed and exhausted. I have had two surgeries at age 4 and 22. I am not 23 and want another surgery though I fear it will only turn my esotropia into esotropia. No one knows the constant struggle I face everyday. It is all I see upon looking in the mirror. I feel incredibly inferior to all others and I start to get annoyed by people and the things they are self conscious about because those things can be changed...like weight or a big nose...etc. anyway my heart goes out to all of you...I am praying for some miraculous treatment option to give us all perfect alignment with no health hazards. I would trade decades to have straight eyes. Most days Id rather not be alive due to it anyway. Everytime I look at someone I can only think about my eyes. I fear looking at people from certain angles that I know my strabimus is worse at. I hate not looking normal in pictures and being able to capture all my memories without worry. This problem has got me severely depressed and exhausted. I have had two surgeries at age 4 and 22. I am not 23 and want another surgery though I fear it will only turn my esotropia into esotropia. No one knows the constant struggle I face everyday. It is all I see upon looking in the mirror. I feel incredibly inferior to all others and I start to get annoyed by people and the things they are self conscious about because those things can be changed…like weight or a big nose…etc. anyway my heart goes out to all of you…I am praying for some miraculous treatment option to give us all perfect alignment with no health hazards.

]]> By: David http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-42373 David Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:47:45 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-42373 Brian, how are you buddy? Please give me information on getting one of those prostetic or occult lens. I still have this double vision and after four years of wearing glasses wirh black tape on the right lens I think it's time to upgrade....Has anyone ever worn those CVS/WALGREENS patches... they're HORRIBLE... ( hot,itchy, leave you a rash ).... So brian, please shoot me that info... davtpt@hotmail.com To the rest of you, anyone wants to chat, e-mail me or facebook me.... Thanks..... Brian, how are you buddy? Please give me information on getting one of those prostetic or occult lens. I still have this double vision and after four years of wearing glasses wirh black tape on the right lens I think it’s time to upgrade….Has anyone ever worn those CVS/WALGREENS patches… they’re HORRIBLE… ( hot,itchy, leave you a rash )…. So brian, please shoot me that info… davtpt@hotmail.com To the rest of you, anyone wants to chat, e-mail me or facebook me….
Thanks…..

]]> By: brian http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-41214 brian Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:55:37 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-41214 yeah mike you a correct, i think prosthetic lense is the answer! it seems a small price to pay for your life back, im putting in for one very soon, and il let you know how it is going when i have it. yeah mike you a correct, i think prosthetic lense is the answer! it seems a small price to pay for your life back, im putting in for one very soon, and il let you know how it is going when i have it.

]]> By: Arthur http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-41029 Arthur Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:25:45 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-41029 Gee Eric, your story sure sounds a lot like mine except I'm considerable older than you. I'm sure that doesn't give you much hope. Sorry. I've had seven operations. The last two were to correct the mistake of the previous one. All were unsuccessful. I spend so much time thinking about whether someone notices that my eyes aren't perfectly aligned that it consumes me. And yes, I would give up some sight and some years of life just to feel and look normal. Gee Eric, your story sure sounds a lot like mine except I’m considerable older than you. I’m sure that doesn’t give you much hope. Sorry. I’ve had seven operations. The last two were to correct the mistake of the previous one. All were unsuccessful. I spend so much time thinking about whether someone notices that my eyes aren’t perfectly aligned that it consumes me. And yes, I would give up some sight and some years of life just to feel and look normal.

]]> By: Ruth V http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-40902 Ruth V Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:47:15 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-40902 Your comments are truly sad. I am wondering how many of you suffering with strabismus have tried vision therapy. There are options other than surgery. Your comments are truly sad. I am wondering how many of you suffering with strabismus have tried vision therapy. There are options other than surgery.

]]> By: Mike http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-40271 Mike Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:52:16 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-40271 Ok, so here is my question. I had surgery 11 years ago, and unfortunately, it appears the effects of the surgery have worn off and I am back to where I was pre surgery. Before going in for another surgery, which will probably last only a few years, what about prosthetic contact lenses? It seems like this problem might be one that could be masked? Anyone ever check into it? Mike Ok, so here is my question. I had surgery 11 years ago, and unfortunately, it appears the effects of the surgery have worn off and I am back to where I was pre surgery. Before going in for another surgery, which will probably last only a few years, what about prosthetic contact lenses? It seems like this problem might be one that could be masked? Anyone ever check into it?

Mike

]]> By: Ellen http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-40219 Ellen Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:24:09 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-40219 Hi. I know very well the experience of people glancing over their shoulder while talking to me, or a group of kids not knowing which one I'm addressing. Yes somehow, these experiences don't bring me pain or embarrassment. They are simply a part of who I am, and I'm okay with that particular imperfection. When people get to know me, they stop even noticing the wandering eye. Of course I'm way self-conscious about other parts of my looks...I don't mean to be insensitive to anyone's discomfort with their strabismus. And I'm fortunate in that my career is not affected by it. I do believe that we all have something to offer the world, and that a smile and friendly conversation can go a long way to offset the wandering eye when talking to someone. Ellen Hi. I know very well the experience of people glancing over their shoulder while talking to me, or a group of kids not knowing which one I’m addressing. Yes somehow, these experiences don’t bring me pain or embarrassment. They are simply a part of who I am, and I’m okay with that particular imperfection. When people get to know me, they stop even noticing the wandering eye.

Of course I’m way self-conscious about other parts of my looks…I don’t mean to be insensitive to anyone’s discomfort with their strabismus. And I’m fortunate in that my career is not affected by it.

I do believe that we all have something to offer the world, and that a smile and friendly conversation can go a long way to offset the wandering eye when talking to someone.

Ellen

]]> By: Anonymiss http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-40202 Anonymiss Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:23:33 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-40202 Oh and I'm sure anyone with strabismus reading this knows full well the pain of the double take people do when they believe you are looking past them while you are talking to them... Or the one where you are talking to someone among a group of people and they say "who are you talking to" 'cause they can't tell which eye you use to look at them with. Or... the one where you suddenly realise your lazy eye is staring at someone... that one is embarrassing as hell. I'm seriously thinking of wearing a pirate patch and saying it's for fashion XD Oh and I’m sure anyone with strabismus reading this knows full well the pain of the double take people do when they believe you are looking past them while you are talking to them…

Or the one where you are talking to someone among a group of people and they say “who are you talking to” ’cause they can’t tell which eye you use to look at them with.

Or… the one where you suddenly realise your lazy eye is staring at someone… that one is embarrassing as hell.

I’m seriously thinking of wearing a pirate patch and saying it’s for fashion XD

]]> By: Anonymiss http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/comment-page-1/#comment-40201 Anonymiss Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:14:54 +0000 http://www.eyesapart.com/2007/11/03/trade-life-expectanc/#comment-40201 Easily. Without a doubt I would do it. I can't get a job because I can't look any potential employers in the eye in interviews. Which in turn leads them to believe I don't want the job or am not motivated or friendly enough. Whenever I meet new people (Men especially) I can't maintain eye contact at all. I have no confidence whatsoever. It has taken over my entire life. I hate having my picture taken, I have some talent as an actress and am already working professionally but I know that my career is limited because I do not have straight eyes, so I won't be hired for major jobs. To know that the one thing in my life I can do really well, the pinnacle of that career is unreachable for me due to something most people with straight eyes take for granted is debilitating beyond belief. So yes, I'd trade life expectancy for a chance at feeling normal. Easily. Without a doubt I would do it.

I can’t get a job because I can’t look any potential employers in the eye in interviews. Which in turn leads them to believe I don’t want the job or am not motivated or friendly enough.

Whenever I meet new people (Men especially) I can’t maintain eye contact at all. I have no confidence whatsoever.

It has taken over my entire life. I hate having my picture taken, I have some talent as an actress and am already working professionally but I know that my career is limited because I do not have straight eyes, so I won’t be hired for major jobs.

To know that the one thing in my life I can do really well, the pinnacle of that career is unreachable for me due to something most people with straight eyes take for granted is debilitating beyond belief.

So yes, I’d trade life expectancy for a chance at feeling normal.

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